Mitochondria and clotting risk in lupus

Role of mitochondria in SLE and its cardiovascular complications

['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · NIH-11138661

This project looks at whether immune reactions to damaged mitochondria in people with lupus are linked to blood clots and other heart and blood vessel problems.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON (nih funded)
Locations1 site (SEATTLE, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11138661 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This work will follow 500 people with systemic lupus erythematosus over time to see if a specific mitochondrial antibody (called AMA-17) shows up before or with venous blood clots. In the lab, researchers will study how damaged mitochondria expose the mitochondrial protein targets and whether blocking mitochondrial reactive oxygen species can prevent those targets from forming. Purified AMA-17 antibodies will be tested on platelets and in engineered microvessels to see if they trigger clotting. The overall aim is to find whether a blood test or mitochondrial-directed treatments could help predict or reduce clot risk in lupus.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults with a diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus who can provide blood samples and attend periodic clinic visits for long-term follow-up.

Not a fit: People without lupus or whose clots are caused by unrelated conditions may not benefit from the findings of this project.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to a blood test to identify lupus patients at higher risk of clots and point to new treatments that target mitochondrial processes.

How similar studies have performed: There is prior evidence that autoantibodies can drive clotting in lupus, but using a mitochondrial antibody (AMA-17) and engineered microvessel models is a relatively new and novel approach.

Where this research is happening

SEATTLE, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: Anti-Phospholipid Antibody Syndrome, Anti-phospholipid Syndrome

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.